It's Getting Windier in Dodge, Mower and Goodhue Counties

By Brett Boese
The Post-Bulletin, Austin MN

ST. PAUL — Two wind farms projects in southeast Minnesota took another step forward Thursday at the Capitol, much to the chagrin of their vocal opponents.

Despite protests from opponents, the 300-megawatt project in Dodge and Mower counties proposed by Pleasant Valley Wind and the 78-megawatt project planned in Goodhue County by AWA Goodhue Wind both received a Certificate of Need and a preliminary draft site permit from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

While the PUC did require that both wind companies allow for an expanded scope of public hearings moving forward based on intense public interest, it was — as both sides expected heading in — a victory for the wind farms as the state pursues its goal of using 25 percent renewable energy by 2025.

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Mayo Clinic announces installation of 500 solar panels

From Rochester Post-Bulletin

by Jeff Hansel

Mayo Clinic announced this morning that it plans to undertake "the largest solar energy project in southeast Minnesota."

Beginning this summer, about 500 solar panels will be installed on the roof of Mayo Clinic's Damon Patient/Visitor Parking Ramp in downtown Rochester, the clinic said.

The effort will save costs and help offset peak summer energy use, as solar energy production peaks during summer when power demands soar for air conditioning.

Rochester Public Utilities will help with installation costs through a "solar rebate program."
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